£3.7m transformation for Downham school
DOWNHAM'S Clackclose Community Primary School is set to be on one site in future, thanks to a major development project costing £3.7 million.
Subject to planning permission, work is set to start in the summer holidays and, if all goes well, the new school could open in September next year.
The school, which has an increasing 320-roll, went into special measures in 2005 with Ofsted inspectors suggesting it should be on one site and not two at Nursery Road and Nelson Road.
A planning application to build an eight-classroom extension at Nursery Road has now been submitted to Norfolk County Council.
This site will also undergo refurbishment and adaptation, including extension of the hall to enable the school to be together for assembly or other events. The hall will also be available to the community.
The existing school premises will also be redesigned. There will be a major development concerning information communication technology (ICT) and better outdoor facilities.
The plans also include transformation of existing buildings at Nelson Road into a new children's centre. The centre will provide space for the Clackclose Nursery and become a home for Clackclose Preschool and the Kidz Korner before and after school clubs and holiday club.
School headteacher Mr Ronnie Koon said the school community was excited by this "huge investment in the children of Downham's future".
"With a single site and all the new 21st century facilities, the new school environment will not only function more effectively, but will have an enormous and positive impact on the children's learning, pride and self-esteem as well as the staff's professionalism and teaching expertise," he said.
"There is real evidence that improved buildings inspire children and motivate them to succeed."
He said since coming out of special measures in September 2007, the school "keeps moving forward from strength to strength". Pupils' numeracy and literacy levels of attainment had improved.
"A new building, with improved facilities, would be the icing on the cake for us all here at Clackclose. The new build extension will transform the school and make a real and significant difference to the children, staff and ultimately the parents," he told the Lynn News.
The new project, made possible by funding by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and Norfolk County Council, is one of three multi-million pound schemes being rolled out across the county over the next year.
Work on the project is due to be carried out by Keir Eastern, the extension designed by NPS Group.
A presentation to show the local community the proposal and scheme's design will be held on Tuesday, June 16, at 2pm at the Nursery Road site.
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Monday 13 February 2012
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